30 #1 Hits [Import]

Elvis Presley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 24, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B00006AG5N
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  DVD Audio  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (445 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #302 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #2 in Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > Classic
  • #4 in Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > Contemporary
  • #6 in Music > Rock > Oldies & Retro > Rockabilly

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In 1987, RCA released a one-disc Elvis compilation called The Number One Hits that featured 18 tracks. So how did the label come up with 12 additional number ones (13 if you count the sensational "A Little Less Conversation" remix that brings the King into the 21st century as a bona fide dance/electronica star)? Well, the '87 compilation featured only Billboard number ones. "In the Ghetto" and "Burning Love" never reached the top there, nor did "Way Down," despite every copy of that 45 selling out on both sides of the Atlantic following Presley's 1977 death. Instead, the new compilers have used the major pop charts in both the U.S. (including Cashbox) and U.K. to determine inclusions. The tracks have all been remixed from original masters, which proves awesome at best (some of the songs have never sounded crisper if, at times, slightly antiseptic) and problematic at worst. Purists will definitely quibble. "A Fool Such As I," for instance, sounds like Elvis rerecorded his vocals. Hank Garland's great guitar solo also sounds different. It might be an alternate take. That's definitely the case with "The Wonder of You." A few lyrics are even different, meaning this isn't the same version as the original 45. Of course, none of that should matter to the youngsters who've been singing along to "Hound Dog" on the Lilo & Stitch soundtrack, or to any other newcomers. Despite the complaints, this is arguably the best single disc Elvis primer to date. Real fans will want to explore much deeper for treasures to be found, but albums like this guarantee that this is one king who will deservedly live very long, if not forever. --Bill Holdship

Product Description

Excellent collection from the King Of Rock 'n' Roll that contains the biggest hits of his career including 'Burning Love', 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Suspicious Minds', 'All Shook Up', 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?', 'Hound Dog', In The Ghetto', 'Jailhouse Rock' and many others. Also features the hit remix of 'A Little Less Conversation'.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

107 of 114 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The King Reclaims His Throne September 26, 2002

By Mike King

Format:Audio CD

Any singer who had 31 hit songs in the top 100 would be considered successful. Any singer who had 31 hit songs in the top 40 would be phenomenal. Any singer who had 31 hit songs that reached number #1 could only be Elvis Presley. The purity of Elvis' voice and clarity of the music is evident from the first song, "Heartbreak Hotel," which was released in 1956. Every song sounds better than ever before, whether it's the acoustic guitar on "Love Me Tender" or the electric guitar and Dixieland band on "Hard Headed Woman." Only Elvis could follow the rocking "(You're The) Devil In Disguise" with the gospel song "Crying In The Chapel" and have both songs reach #1. The live version of "The Wonder Of You" included here differs slightly from the familiar version, but is equally great. The 2002 remix version of "A Little Less Conversation" brings Elvis into the 21st century and closes out this compilation. With this CD clocking in at nearly 80 minutes, you literally could not ask for more.

98 of 104 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 50,000,000 RCA Record Executives Can't Be Wrong October 6, 2002

By Steve Vrana HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

Here's my take on the latest entry in the Elvis greatest hits compilation sweepstakes. It is without question the best single-disc collection available. And I'm sure that RCA hopes this has the same kind of sales that the Beatles 2000 release "1" had. [That probably explains the spelling of his name--ELV1S--in the title.] And so far it's working--the album is No. 1 on Billboard's charts the first week of its release.

Is this this the ONLY Elvis you'll ever need? Depends. If you're a casual fan, probably. The serious fan will want it just to get the JXL radio edit remix of 1968's "A Little Less Conversation," whose late addition made it the 31st No. 1 hit of Elvis' career. [Also, do ALL copies include the 12-minute 1960 post-army interview CD that mine did?]

In addition, this updates RCA's 1987 18-track "The Number One Hits" by also including his British No. 1's. Elvis' last U.S. No. 1 was 1969's "Suspicious Minds." But "The Wonder of You" (1970), "Burning Love" (1972) and "Way Down" all hit the top spot in the U.K. In fact, "Way Down" (1976) spent five weeks at No. 1. The other big surprise was 1960's "Wooden Heart," taken from the movie G.I. Blues. [The song was not released as a single in the U.S.]

My only concern is that I hope it's not just old Elvis fans (like me) that are buying this disc. This is music that should transcend generations. And a quick peak at any given week's Billboard chart is evidence enough that today's artists could benefit from a little influence from the king of rock 'n' roll. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 31 of ELV1S Great HITS September 24, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

This is just brilliant music from the greatest recording artist of all time. The improved sound quality on these songs is incredible, so even if you already have every ELV1S album every released this is still worth buying. If you have never bought an ELV1S album then this is where to start. This album will appeal to anybody who is open to listening to good music. You will never get better value than this.